Handgun sales are soaring, but most are not intended to be used for hunting. The Pennsylvania legislature is amending the language of the Sportsman's Firearm Permit law to make it clearer to hunters and law enforcement officers.
The permit is an exemption that allows a handgun to be carried without a license while hunting, trapping, fishing or running hunting dogs. It is not a concealed-carry license and issuance does not require any type of background check. A person with a license to carry does not need a Sportsman's Firearm Permit to hunt with a handgun considered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to be a lawful sporting arm. Handgun hunters, trappers, etc., must produce both the sportsman's permit and a hunting license or dog running permit upon the demand of a law enforcement officer
Pennsylvania State Police furnish Sportsman's Firearm Permit forms on request to county treasurers. The form must be completed in person in the presence of the treasurer's staff. It will not be issued to family members or friends on behalf of the applicant.
The purchaser must be at least 18 years old and have a license to hunt, trap or fish or a permit relating to hunting dogs. The fee is $6. A Sportsman's Firearm Permit is valid for five years. A small portion of the judiciary bill deals with the handgun hunting permit. House Bill 659 amends Chapter 61 of Pennsylvania Code Title 18 to provide for "constitutional carry" of a firearm.
